Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 112 - 7: Prince Gong Mansion

After dinner, the Old Madam carefully looked at the attire of each young lady. They were all very appropriate. Fifth Miss, having been reprimanded once, was now behaving cautiously, and with two stern nannies from the palace instructing her, she did not dare to upset the Old Madam. Today, she was also dressed resplendently.

The other young ladies were also wearing their new winter coats for going out. Each woman had her own distinct aura. Indeed, it was like "beauties descended from the Moon Palace"! Coupled with Susu’s breathtaking beauty, it was no wonder the Eldest Young Madam said she was dazzled by the sight!

The Old Madam nodded with satisfaction and, upon seeing Susu’s bluish-gray sable cloak, she said to the Heir’s wife: "Since the day she came here, she’s been wearing cloaks either lotus green or bamboo green all winter. Now that she is a grown lady, it’s better for her to wear something bright. Instruct the sewing room to make a big red cloak from my share for her to wear during New Year’s!"

The Eldest Young Madam laughed and said: "No need to use Grandmother’s share. Please allow your granddaughter-in-law to treat Susu well so that Susu can design an eye-catching set of jewelry for me. When I go back to my family’s home for New Year’s, I can show it off. Now even my family’s grandmother knows that anything by Susu is a masterpiece!"

Actually, Susu had no lack of cloaks. She had acquired countless fine materials and furs over the years. But with both the Old Madam and the Eldest Young Madam honoring her, she naturally expressed her gratitude profusely!

The two cousins, who were not very familiar with Susu, once again witnessed their grandmother’s preference for and protection of Susu, and they regarded Susu even more highly!

Meanwhile, Fifth Miss’s hand was tightly clenched in her sleeve, filled with resentment! However, the Buddhist scriptures she read these days were not in vain, as she quickly regained composure. Remembering her aunt’s letters, she knew that if she didn’t want to be sent back to Yangzhou and wished for a good marriage, she had to behave and cling to her grandmother.

As for Susu, no matter how beautiful, she was just a maid, a maid who might not be able to bear children. In the future, Susu will have her own moments of distress!

After dinner, the young ladies returned to their rooms to redo their hair and refresh their makeup.

Taking advantage of this time, Susu went back to her room to eat and prepared a small bundle. She handed it to Ming Yu, inside was a set of spare clothes and a grooming box. Once everything was ready, Susu went to the main room and joined the other young ladies as they listened to the Old Madam and the Heir’s wife give a few more instructions before getting into the soft sedan chair and leaving the mansion.

Outside the mansion, there were carriages waiting. The first two were luxurious green-canopied, pearl-embellished carriages. The Song Family’s three sisters shared one, and the two cousins along with Susu shared another.

Following behind were several black lacquered carriages for the maids and elderly women accompanying them.

Once the masters and servants were seated, the coachman cracked his whip with a crisp sound, and they set off.

The Prince Gong Mansion is in the Second Ring of the Capital and is only a ten-minute ride from the Imperial Palace. From Shun’an Earl Mansion to Prince Gong Mansion, it takes about half an hour.

In the carriage, Miss Zhao chattered away like a little sparrow. She would draw back the curtain to look outside, or guess about the Prince Gong Mansion, and then talk about the bustling Capital.

Since arriving in the Capital, the young girl hadn’t left the mansion due to her young age, and Susu and Sun Fangqing didn’t have the heart to restrain her. They listened with smiles, occasionally responding with a few lines, encouraging her to speak even more excitedly.

Miss Sun said somewhat helplessly: "We should have let you and Sixth Cousin share a carriage so you could finish all you wanted to say, and be quiet when we arrive at the Prince Mansion."

Miss Zhao giggled, "Good sister, rest assured, I will not embarrass our grandmother."

The late Prince Gong was the late Emperor’s full brother. Although there was a gap of about ten years between them, he was treated like a half-son. The late Emperor’s struggle for the throne was intense, and aside from this one full brother, there weren’t many brothers and sisters left.

Once the late Emperor ascended the throne, he bestowed the title of Prince Gong on his brother. The current Emperor, upon his succession, further elevated the title to that of a prince, granting double stipends. Prince Gong passed away five years ago, and the Princely Heir inherited the title, becoming the current Prince Gong.

This current Prince Gong, having been frail since childhood, never involved himself in court affairs and only enjoyed romance, flowers, and the company of beauties. The current Emperor has been quite considerate toward this cousin, allowing him to retain his title without demotion.

At Prince Gong Mansion, aside from the Main Wife, there are four Concubines and eight sub-consorts, and several concubines and chambermaids, yet the offspring are not abundant.

In thirteen years of marriage, the Main Wife has only given birth to the Legitimate Daughter, Princess Qingning. Because the Princess Consort hasn’t birthed a Legitimate Son for many years, it naturally couldn’t prevent others from having children. Thus, there are also two sons and two daughters born of concubines in the mansion.